All game play rules are based on the current Little League Softball and American Softball Associationyouth standards. Exceptions to these rules, as agreed upon by the League Commissioners are as follows:

All players on defense are required to use a glove. Mitts are allowed for use by the catcher & 1st baseman.

5. Shoes with metal spikes or metal cleats are not permitted. Soccer cleats are OK.

PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTES

Each team will field 10 players: 4 outfielders, 4 infielders, 1 pitcher and 1 catcher. The outfielders will be positioned in 4 segments of the outfield ("4 across"). Outfielders must be positioned in their assigned sector at the time of the pitch, eliminating a designated "short fielder" outfield position. The outfielders cannot cover a base or take a throw at a base during a primary play. An outfielder may cover a base as a secondary action such as backing up a base during a rundown action or overthrows.

A continuous batting order (C.B.O.) of all players present shall be used. A player arriving late may only be inserted at the bottom of the C.B.O. This order is followed throughout the game regardless of defensive substitutions made in the field.

All players must play equal time. In order to guarantee this playing time, no player shall be out of the defensive lineup for more than 1 consecutive inning. Defensive substitutions will be allowed at the end of every inning.

GAME PLAY

All League games are 6 innings or 2 hours maximum.

All time considerations may be waived if the game must be called off due to darkness or hazardous weather conditions. This will determined by the home team coach.

For instructional purposes, a coach may call no more than 2 time outs per inning. Time outs should be brief.

The designated home team will bat last in an inning.

The infield fly rule will not be called.

The offensive coach pitches to his/her team. If a batter does not hit a pitched ball after 8-10 swings, move on to the next batter. No out is registered and the batter takes first base!

No stealing of bases is allowed. Therefore, there is no advancement of bases on passed balls, wild pitches, or dropped 3rd strikes.

Bunting is not allowed. (Our objective is to teach hitting by swinging through the ball. If a player attempts to bunt, the pitch is called a strike, the ball is dead, and any base runners must return to the base held at the time of the swing.)

The ball is dead after each pitch, and base runners may not advance.

GAME PLAY

Base runners shall advance only 1 base when the ball is overthrown into out-of-bounds territory.

A base runner can advance as many bases as she can when the ball is overthrown in playable territory.

In the case of a batter throwing a bat as part of her swing, the batter will be issued a team warning after the play is completed. After this warning, any such incidents committed by the same player or a teammate will be penalized as follows: ball is dead, batter is out, any base runners must return to the base held at the time of the pitch.

Home plate shall be enlarged by one and one half inches on each side (total 20 inches).

The strike zone will be the space between the batter's armpits and the knees when the batter assumes her natural stance at the plate.

Only an adult coach is permitted in the coaching boxes at 1st and 3rd bases.

Forfeits: Because our interest is in playing softball, we will do everything we can to avoid forfeits. Therefore, the following rules concerning forfeit situations will be in affecta. If at game time there are at least 5 players, the game will be played.b. If at game time, and after a 15 minute wait, there are still fewer than 5 players, then a forfeitgame shall be decided. However, the team with more players shall allow as many players as necessar
to play for the other team and a game will be played.

There are no league standings! Emphasize instruction and learning, not winning!

Equal playing time for all players is to be strived for in this program. No player is to play morethan 1 inning at any one position in a game in this division. If a coach runs into an extraordinary situation where he/she must play a player for a 2nd inning at the same position, then he/she must first inform the opposing coach of this situation prior to allowing this player to play the additional inning in this position.

POSTPONEMENTS

Weather cancellations or cancellations due to poor field conditions is the responsibility of the home team which shall call the visiting team at least 90 minutes prior to game time to inform them of any cancellation.

The date for playing a postponed game will be determined by the League Commissioner and will be played within 3 weeks from the originally scheduled date provided a make-up field site is available.